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Mazda CX-5 is Japan’s top car

Mazda’s CX-5 SUV has won the 2012 Japanese Car of the Year contest and BMW's 3 Series the title Import Car of the Year.

The CX-5 raked in 363 votes to win the prize and, while a close battle was expected, the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ twins only picked up 318.

CONSOLATION PRIZE


While the Toyota/Subaru sports coupe won favour for its rear-wheel drive handling, high-revving boxer engine and reasonable price, Mazda’s Skyactiv technology – which refers to a series of new body, chassis, engine and transmission technologies – great handling and economical clean diesel engine apparently most impressed the 60 jurors.

According to the rules, each juror has 25 votes and must give 10 to their highest-rated car. The remaining 15 can be spread among their next choices.

Mazda’s Kiyoshi Fujiwara, accepting the Coty trophy, said: “It was a long road. In the early days of Skyactiv development I had a lot of opposition from colleagues who said the technology was not the answer. But we stayed true to our goals and here we are, fully recognised by the COTY jurors. Thank you!”

The BMW 3 Series received the Import Car of the Year title – with 282 votes – over the Range Rover Evoque’s 218.

As a consolation, the COTY steering committee's special prize was awarded to the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ.
       
RESULTS
Mazda CX-5 - 363 votes
Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ - 318
BMW 3-Series - 282
Range Rover Evoque - 218
VW Up! - 152
Suzuki Wagon R - 68
Citroen DS5 - 51
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - 29
Nissan Note - 10
Honda N-Box - 9

Have you voted for your favourite in the SA Car of the Year competition? Visit our homepage voting booth to cast your vote.
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